Umineko Catbox English Mod Switch

Umineko Catbox English Mod
Umineko Catbox English Mod
	File:Uminekocatboxenglishmodswitch.png
General
Author	andOlga
Type	Translations
Version	v10.0.1
License	Mixed
Last Updated	2023/05/01
Links
	Download
	Website
	Source

The English patch for Umineko Catbox is a translation patch for the console version of Umineko When They Cry: The Symphony of Catbox and Dreams, which includes Episodes 1 through 8, all content from Tsubasa, Hane, and Saku, as well as 4 new exclusive stories. The patch is meant to be used on the actual console release of the game and is not a standalone application.

Description

The translation patch was made possible due to the resources and tools provided by various projects. These include kaleido by Neurochitin, which can decompile and recompile the SNR script format used by the game, as well as generate the patch.rom files that can be used to replace files in the base game. enter_extractor by TellowKrinkle, which can extract files from the base game's data.rom format, as well as generate pic and txa files used to store the game's images . HigurashiENX by MasaGratoR, which is a similar translation patch for the Switch version of Higurashi. Specifically, the IPS patch generation scripts from that project were used to translate some of the text hardcoded into the executables of the game. Umineko Project, a similar translation work done for the PS3 version of Umineko, which serves as the base for the translated script and images used in the patch. ArsMagica's English patch for Hane, which served as the initial source for the translation of the Hane arcs.

The original translation of the PC version of Umineko by The Witch Hunt also played a significant role in the creation of the patch. Although their work isn't being used directly, without these people Umineko would have never made it to the West in any form at all. It is important to note that the Steam version of the game is not compatible with this patch in any way and is significantly inferior to the console releases (no voice acting, worse visuals, worse UI, missing content). Therefore, it is recommended to buy the game on the eShop or PSN to support the creators.

The patch is available in two versions, the master branch, and the rebirth branch. The master branch is left untouched, save for a notice at the top, and is meant to preserve the imperfections of the patch, including various minor text issues here and there. On the other hand, the rebirth branch is where all new development on the project shall happen. The rebirth branch focuses on fixing the remaining text issues, improving the quality of the translation, and making it more consistent.

It is worth noting that while the rebirth branch aims to improve the translation quality, some fans prefer the original patch, including its imperfections. Therefore, there is a tradeoff between having a more polished translation, and preserving the original experience. Ultimately, the choice between the master and rebirth branch comes down to personal preference.

Applying the patch

You can play the game and install the patch on either a PC or a hackable Nintendo Switch with Atmosphère. If playing on PC, you have the option to use either Ryujinx or Yuzu emulator, both of which have been tested with the patch and work well. To begin, follow the instructions below.

Keep in mind that to play on PC, you will need to acquire an NSP of the base game and add it to your emulator. To ensure compliance with US laws, you must purchase the game on the eShop and dump it using NXDumpTool Switch from a hackable Nintendo Switch to obtain a legal copy for emulation. It is important to note that software distribution laws may vary in other countries.

On PC (using Ryujinx)

Ryujinx, the Nintendo Switch emulator, can run both the game and its patch. To set up the emulator, you will need the prod.keys file, the Nintendo Switch firmware, and the game. Once you have acquired these files, you can refer to their guide on setting up and configuring Ryujinx, but keep in mind that the "Managing mods" section does not apply to this patch, which has a more complex structure and cannot be added to a per-game folder as recommended.

To install the patch on Ryujinx, first download the Atmosphère version (Ryujinx is fully compatible with Atmosphère) from here. Next, select "File" -> "Open Ryujinx Folder" and navigate to the "mods" directory. Extract the entire patch archive to this location. If the "mods" directory does not exist, create it before extracting the files.

On PC (using Yuzu)

Yuzu, another emulator for the Nintendo Switch, is capable of running the game and its patch. To use Yuzu, you will need a copy of the "prod.keys" file that is extracted from a hackable Nintendo Switch and the game itself. After obtaining the keys, open Yuzu and navigate to File -> Open Yuzu folder. Then, locate or create a subfolder called "keys" and paste the "prod.keys" file there. Restart Yuzu and add your game folder by double-clicking the empty rectangle in the main Yuzu window.

To install the patch on Yuzu, download the Yuzu version from this link: https://github.com/andOlga/umineko-catbox-english/releases/latest/download/patch_yuzu.zip. Next, right-click on the game in Yuzu and select "Open Mod Data Location". Extract the entire archive there.

On Nintendo Switch (the actual hardware)

To play the game on your Nintendo Switch, you will require Atmosphere Switch installed on your device. Check if your Switch model is compatible with Atmosphère and install it if you haven't already. Then, download the Atmosphère version of the patch from here and copy it to the "atmosphere" folder located in your SD card. Once done, the game will start in English on the next launch.

Media

Umineko No Naku Koro Ni Saku Op ~ Kasaneawase no Nekobako by Sasaki Rico ~ English Subtitles - (Clockwork Magic)

Want to Contribute?

Click here for those who want to contribute to the Umineko When They Cry patch or create translations.

Changelog

v10.0.1

This release restores a missing voiceline in Saku01.

v10.0.0

This release includes some fairly minor text fixes for the first Saku story.
It also marks the beginning of a new series of fixes all throughout the patch, hoping to bring it up to the highest standard possible. The release cadence is likely going to be quite slow, as it's difficult for me to bring myself to work on this patch at this point. However, please look forward to more in the future.

Credits

Besides me, the following people have directly contributed to this project:

My beloved heart, Tara, who was the brightest star that ever shone in my life. Rest in peace, my love.
@DoctorDiablo, translating the Witch Hunter's Interview Tape story.
@silverwolf-waltz, helping port over the translations for Hane and Saku.
@Quplet, providing help with porting some of the main episodes.
LHCollider, helping with testing.

Furthermore, this patch would be impossible without the resources and tools provided by the the following projects:

kaleido by Neurochitin, which can decompile and recompile the SNR script format used by the game, as well as generate the patch.rom files that can be used to replace files in the base game.
enter_extractor by TellowKrinkle, which can extract files from the base game's data.rom format, as well as generate pic and txa files used to store the game's images.
HigurashiENX by MasaGratoR, which is a similar translation patch for the Switch version of Higurashi. Specifically, the IPS patch generation scripts from that project were used to translate some of the text hardcoded into the executables of the game.
Umineko Project, a similar translation work done for the PS3 version of Umineko, which serves as the base for the translated script and images used in the patch.
Umineko Tsubasa English Patch, which served as the initial source for the translation of the Tsubasa arcs present in the PC version (these were heavily edited to be consistent with the main story as well as with each other).
ArsMagica's English patch for Hane, now lost to time, which served as the initial source for the translation of the Hane arcs.
The 07th-Expansion wiki, which had a translation for Our Confession as well as most of the new Tsubasa stories.
A random person who just showed up on the Hinamizawa Discord one day with the nickname of "last-note", dumped a full translation of Last Note, and left.
The original translation of the PC version of Umineko by The Witch Hunt. While their work isn't being used directly, without these people Umineko would have never made it to the West in any form at all.
And, of course, the game itself, created by 07th-Expansion and producted (sic) by Entergram. Please buy the game on the eShop to support the creators.
- You can technically also buy the game on PSN, though that version isn't fully compatible with the patch, and the parts that may be compatible (romfs changes) are untested. If you get that one, you're on your own in trying to get it to run.
- There are also a few various versions of Umineko native to PC. How good they are varies depending on the version you dig up, but none of them properly support the creators, none of them are compatible with this patch, and all of them have various missing content compared to the console release of the game.
  - This includes the Steam version, as it is a re-release of the old indie version of Umineko, and as such does not include any of the console version's improvements. Because of this, buying this release does not help support the creators of the console version in any way, though it does help support the author and the original creator of the series, Ryukishi07. The Steam version is also not compatible with this patch.

External links

Official Site - https://andolga.github.io/umineko-catbox-english/
Github - https://github.com/andOlga/umineko-catbox-english